Venetian mirrors

From its inception until the Renaissance, the mirror remained a small, pocket-sized object that anyone could carry around with them, just as we do today. At that time, the frames were often made of wood, ivory, or precious metals.

However, the pioneers of mirrors that most closely resembled the current processes were the Venetians, or more precisely, the Murano craftsmen, whose mirrors were manufactured from 1369 onwards.

In the mid-16th century, Vincenzo Redor patented a technique that consisted of smoothing and polishing the precious crystal plates onto which tin sheets were pressed with a mercury bath, thus creating mirrors with a perfectly flat surface that made them even more precious objects. It then became a purely Venetian tradition to surround the coveted plates with molded and carved frames, a detail that made Venice the most important glass exporter in Europe.

As guardians of a unique art, Venetian glassmakers were often persecuted by European monarchs who wanted to use their prestigious techniques at any cost. They succeeded in the 17th century, when Louis XIV's minister lured several masters from Murano with gold. These Murano masters made an important contribution to the creation of the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

And thanks to the spread of the mirror, the self-portrait in art was also born!

Today, Venetian mirrors are still manufactured using the same techniques that were invented in the 19th century.

The variations that have emerged over the centuries showcase the entire spectrum of glass art, from purist and austere to playful and charming.

An antique Venetian mirror is not just a mirror; it is a decorative design object that is truly one of a kind.